Washing and filling machines

ABSTRACT

A machine for washing and/or filling containers comprises at least one treatment station, the station having a fixed washing ro filling head at the bottom of the station and a support cradle for an inverted container, the cradle having a lower support surface to support an inverted container above the head and an upper bearing surface, the two surfaces being spaced apart by a sufficient distance for a container to be placed in the cradle, the cradle being moveable downwardly to lower the container onto the head and to clamp the container between the head and the upper bearing surface ready for treatment by the head.

tlnite @ttes Ftent 1191 Wiggrn Aug. 6, 1974 [54] WASHING AND FILLINGMACHINES 3,277,929 10/1966 Cook 141 1 13 x [75] Inventor. ntlliong JohnWlggm, Bllston, Primary Examiner Bmy J Wilhim ng an Attorney, Agent, orFirmWatson, Cole, Grindle & [73] Assignee: GKN Sankey Limited, Bilston,Watson Staffordshire, England 22]- Filed; Mar. 23, 1972 L f mac me orwas mg an or 1 mg containers com- [21 1 Appl' 237411 prises at least onetreatment station, the station having a fixed washing ro filling head atthe bottom of the sta- 52 us. or 141/92, 134/166, 141/113, tion and aSupport-Cradle for an inverted Container, 41/3 9 the cradle having alower support surface to support 51' Int. Cl. B676 3/32, B08b 3/02 aninverted Container above the head and an pp [58] Field 611 Search134/166, 152; 141/89, 90, bearing Surface, the two Surfaces being Spacedapart 141 91 92 1 13 3 9 4g 3 by a sufficient distance for a containerto be placed in the cradle, the cradle being moveable downwardly to [56]References Ci d lower the container onto the head and to clamp the vcontainer between the head and U16 upper bearing surface ready fortreatment by the head. 1,644,384 l0/l927 Kendall 134/152 X 2,522,3109/!950 Smith l34/l52 X 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 OF 2 1WASHING AND FILLING ,MACIIINES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The inventionrelates to washing and/or filling machines, for example machines forwashing and/or filling beer kegs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object ofthe invention to provide a washing and/or filling machines using fewermoveable parts, and in particular having a fixed treatment head.

In accordance with this object the invention provides a machine forwashing and/or filling containers (e.g., beer kegs) comprising at leastone treatment station, the station having a fixed washing or fillinghead at the bottom of the station and a support cradle for an invertedcontainer, the cradle having a lower support surface to support aninverted container above the head and an upper bearing surface, the twosurfaces being spaced apart by a sufficient distance for a container tobe placed in the cradle, the cradle being moveable downwardly to lowerthe container onto the head and to clamp the container between the headand the upper bearing surface ready for treatment by the head.

In use a container is placed in the cradle and the eradle is thenlowered to clamp the container onto the head. After the washing orfilling operation has been completed, the cradle is raised and thecontainer removed.

The upper bearing surface may be mounted on the cradle for lost-motionin the vertical direction. This is advantageous when the machine is tobe used for treating containers of differing heights.

The invention includes a machine for washing and/or filling containers(e.g., beer kegs) comprising at least one treatment station, the stationhaving a fixed washing or fillinghead at the bottom of the station, anda support cradle for an inverted container comprising an upper bearingsurface, means to move the bearing surface vertically and a lowersupport surface connected to the upper bearing surface for verticallost-motion with respect thereto, the cradle being moveable by saidmeans between a first position in which the two surfaces are spacedapart by a sufficient distance for an inverted container to be placed onthe lower support surface, the lower support surface being suspendedabove the head at the lower limit of its lost-motion, and a secondposition in which the container has been lowered onto the head and isclamped against the head by the upper bearing surface.

The moving means may comprise a piston and cylinder combination.

Where the machine comprises a combined washing and filling machinehaving a washing station and a filling station, a cradle as describedabove may be provided at each station when washing and filling are bothcarried out on inverted containers. Where filling is carried out onupright containers, the machine including means to turn a container overbetween washing and filling, a cradle may be provided at the washingstation only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectionthrough the washing station of a machine according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a view of the station in the direction of entry of containers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE The machine has a fixed frame, an upper partof which is shown at 10 and a lower base part, on which a washing head11 is rigidly mounted, is indicated by reference numeral 10a. Pipes 12,13, are connected to the head to carry washing fluid to and from thehead.

Also mounted on the frame is a cradle 14. The cradle comprises a lowersupport surface 15 and 15a, an upper bearing surface 16 and 16a, and twoside members 17.

The lower support surface comprises essentially a pair of spaced beamswhich are capable of supporting an inverted beer keg with the neck ofthe keg projecting downwardly between the beams. The beams 150 aresecured in a rectangular frame 15 secured rigidly to side members 17.Also, the upper support surface includes essentially a pair of spacedbeams 16a secured to a beam 16.

Each side member 17 has at its upper end a slot 18 therein. Uppersupport surface 16 comprises a transverse beam mounted for lost-motionin slots 18 by means of spigots 23 at the ends of the transverse beam.

The beam 16 is connected to piston rod 19 of a pneumatic piston andcylinder combination 20. The cylinder 21 is rigidly mounted on frame 10.

Spaced members 22 are provided to guide the cradle for vertical motionunder the control of piston and cylinder combination 20. Members 22 areeach connected to the fixed frame of the machine.

In use an inverted keg is positioned in the cradle with its neck overthe fixed washing head 11. Piston and cylinder combination 20 is thenactivated to lower beam 16 and the remainder of the cradle and thecontainer move downwardly with beam 16 under gravity.

The keg is brought to rest by the engagement of head 11 in the neck ofthe keg. Support 15 and uprights 17 are brought to rest shortly after byportions (not shown) of the machine frame arranged just below the head11. The spacing of support 15 below head 11 is arranged so that it willstill support the keg sufficiently to prevent it toppling off head 15.

After support 15, uprights l7 and the keg have been brought to rest beam16 continues to move, travelling down slots 18 until it abuts the upwardfacing base of the keg and clamps the keg firmly onto the washing head.

After washing has been completed, the cradle is returned to the positionshown by piston and cylinder combination 20 and the keg is removed.

The apparatus described in this example enables a keg to be supportedabove a washing head before and after washing, and to be positivelyapplied to the head for washing, utilising a single piston and cylindercombination.

-The invention is not restricted to the features of the foregoingexample. For instance, where all the containers to be washed are of thesame height, beam 16 may be fixed relative to side members 17, andarranged at such a height that during lowering of the cradle beam 16engages the base of an inverted container just as the keg engages head15.

l claim:

1. A machine for washing and/or filling containers, comprising at leastone treatment station, the station having a fixed washing or fillinghead at the bottom of the station and a support cradle for an invertedcontainer, the cradle having a lower support surface to support aninverted container above the head and an upper bearing surface connectedto the lower support surface as an integral part of the cradle, theupper bearing surface being mounted on the cradle for lost-motion in thevertical direction, the two surfaces being spaced apart by a sufficientdistance for a container to be placed in the cradle, and the cradlebeing movable downwardly to lower the container onto the head and toclamp the container between the head and the upper bearing surface readyfor treatment by the head.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the two on the upper bearingsurface engage in slots on the cradle.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including means to move the cradle.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the moving means comprise apiston and cylinder combination.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4 in which spigots on the upper bearingsurface engage in slots on the cradle.

7. A machine for washing and/or filling containers comprising at leastone treatment station, the station having a fixed washing or fillinghead at the bottom of the station, and a support cradle for an invertedcontainer comprising an upper bearing surface, means to move the bearingsurface vertically and a lower support surface connected to the upperbearing surface for vertical lost-motion with respect thereto, thecradle being moveable by said means between a first position in whichthe two surfaces are spaced apart by a sufficient distance for aninverted container to be placed on the lower support surface, the lowersupport surface being suspended above the head at the lower limit of itslostmotion, and a second position in which the container has beenlowered onto the head and is clamped against the head by the upperbearing surface.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7 in which the moving means comprise apiston and cylinder combination.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 7 in which the two surfaces eachcomprise at'least one beam.

l l l

1. A machine for washing and/or filling containers, comprising at leastone treatment station, the station having a fixed washing or fillinghead at the bottom of the station and a support cradle for an invertedcontainer, the cradle having a lower support surface to support Aninverted container above the head and an upper bearing surface connectedto the lower support surface as an integral part of the cradle, theupper bearing surface being mounted on the cradle for lost-motion in thevertical direction, the two surfaces being spaced apart by a sufficientdistance for a container to be placed in the cradle, and the cradlebeing movable downwardly to lower the container onto the head and toclamp the container between the head and the upper bearing surface readyfor treatment by the head.
 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in whichthe two surfaces each comprise at least one beam.
 3. A machine asclaimed in claim 1 in which spigots on the upper bearing surface engagein slots on the cradle.
 4. A machine as claimed in claim 1 includingmeans to move the cradle.
 5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 in whichthe moving means comprise a piston and cylinder combination.
 6. Amachine as claimed in claim 4 in which spigots on the upper bearingsurface engage in slots on the cradle.
 7. A machine for washing and/orfilling containers comprising at least one treatment station, thestation having a fixed washing or filling head at the bottom of thestation, and a support cradle for an inverted container comprising anupper bearing surface, means to move the bearing surface vertically anda lower support surface connected to the upper bearing surface forvertical lost-motion with respect thereto, the cradle being moveable bysaid means between a first position in which the two surfaces are spacedapart by a sufficient distance for an inverted container to be placed onthe lower support surface, the lower support surface being suspendedabove the head at the lower limit of its lost-motion, and a secondposition in which the container has been lowered onto the head and isclamped against the head by the upper bearing surface.
 8. A machine asclaimed in claim 7 in which the moving means comprise a piston andcylinder combination.
 9. A machine as claimed in claim 7 in which thetwo surfaces each comprise at least one beam.